Load Specifications
Load data in caliber 6.5 x 68 with .264 | 120gr | Nosler Ballistic Tip Hunting bullet and 71 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Hodgdon Retumbo, ReloadSwiss RS 76 and Accurate MAGPRO.
Important Notice: DO NOT go below Minimum Charge or above Maximum Charge. Since we have no control over the equipment and components used, any responsibility and liability for the results achieved is rejected.
Only powders/loads that match the current filter criteria are displayed: max pressure of a load ≤ 90% of max. standardized pressure, fill rate ≥ 80% and propellant combustion ≥ 95%. Use the sliders above the tables to adjust these thresholds.
Charge: Powder weight in grains. Start with the minimum load and work up carefully.
FR (Fill Rate): Case fill as a percentage. Values above 100% mean compressed loads.
MaxP / %: Maximum chamber pressure in bar and as a percentage of the standardized maximum for this caliber.
V(0): Muzzle velocity in feet per second (fps) at the standardized barrel length.
z (Powder Burn): Estimated propellant combustion percentage at bullet exit.
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Max Load - Barrel Length: 25.6"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate 3100 | <<locked>> | 92% | 56,927 psi | 89% | 3143 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 84% | 57,522 psi | 90% | 3173 fps | 100% |
| Accurate High Country | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,534 psi | 85% | 3241 fps | 99% |
| Accurate MAGPRO | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,492 psi | 87% | 3245 fps | 98.2% |
| ADI AR 2209 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,708 psi | 86% | 3176 fps | 99.5% |
| ADI AR 2213 | <<locked>> | 92% | 56,507 psi | 89% | 3248 fps | 99.1% |
| ADI AR 2217ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,636 psi | 86% | 3209 fps | 99.2% |
| ADI AR 2225ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,197 psi | 77% | 3166 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,737 psi | 86% | 3176 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-19 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,230 psi | 85% | 3163 fps | 99.5% |
| Alliant Reloder-22 | <<locked>> | 92% | 56,797 psi | 89% | 3245 fps | 99.8% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,549 psi | 85% | 3153 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-25 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,215 psi | 85% | 3219 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,839 psi | 86% | 3238 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 109 | <<locked>> | 94% | 57,580 psi | 90% | 3199 fps | 97.2% |
| Bofors RP15 | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,970 psi | 88% | 3225 fps | 99.6% |
| Bofors RP30 | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,954 psi | 85% | 3219 fps | 99.2% |
| Bofors RP5 | <<locked>> | 92% | 56,797 psi | 89% | 3245 fps | 99.8% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,651 psi | 87% | 3117 fps | 99.9% |
| Hodgdon H1000 | <<locked>> | 98% | 56,217 psi | 88% | 3235 fps | 99.7% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,216 psi | 87% | 3173 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H4350 | <<locked>> | 82% | 57,551 psi | 90% | 3186 fps | 99.8% |
| Hodgdon H4831 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,999 psi | 88% | 3176 fps | 98.6% |
| Hodgdon H4831 SC | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,984 psi | 86% | 3156 fps | 98.4% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 86% | 54,998 psi | 86% | 3091 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Retumbo | <<locked>> | 98% | 56,826 psi | 89% | 3363 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | <<locked>> | 82% | 56,057 psi | 88% | 3212 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 37,260 psi | 58% | 2024 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 86% | 57,377 psi | 90% | 3156 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 82% | 56,985 psi | 89% | 3140 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,157 psi | 85% | 3104 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4955 Enduron | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,695 psi | 89% | 3156 fps | 98.8% |
| IMR 7828 SSC | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,433 psi | 85% | 3222 fps | 98.9% |
| IMR 8133 Enduronᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 44,643 psi | 70% | 3061 fps | 97.4% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 82% | 54,389 psi | 85% | 3081 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 84% | 56,202 psi | 88% | 3136 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S071 | <<locked>> | 96% | 54,607 psi | 86% | 3110 fps | 100% |
| Norma 204 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,911 psi | 86% | 3156 fps | 99.4% |
| Norma 217ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,107 psi | 71% | 3091 fps | 99.2% |
| Norma MRP | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,666 psi | 89% | 3261 fps | 100% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 84% | 55,898 psi | 88% | 3156 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Grand | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,448 psi | 87% | 3248 fps | 99.3% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,694 psi | 86% | 3156 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Magnum | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,911 psi | 84% | 3173 fps | 99.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 38,203 psi | 60% | 2073 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 82% | 53,882 psi | 84% | 3136 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 84% | 56,159 psi | 88% | 3225 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 76 | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,795 psi | 84% | 3287 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 80ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 57,203 psi | 90% | 3307 fps | 98.7% |
| Rottweil R 904 | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,564 psi | 87% | 3143 fps | 99% |
| Rottweil R 905 | <<locked>> | 90% | 57,624 psi | 90% | 3215 fps | 99.8% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,651 psi | 87% | 3117 fps | 99.9% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 82% | 54,389 psi | 85% | 3081 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 84% | 56,202 psi | 88% | 3136 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 84% | 57,043 psi | 89% | 3087 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000 | <<locked>> | 90% | 57,203 psi | 90% | 3212 fps | 99.8% |
| Somchem S361 | <<locked>> | 88% | 57,232 psi | 90% | 3133 fps | 98.7% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 86% | 56,652 psi | 89% | 3156 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,302 psi | 85% | 3123 fps | 99.8% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 84% | 57,406 psi | 90% | 3143 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N165 | <<locked>> | 92% | 54,244 psi | 85% | 3107 fps | 99.7% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 84% | 56,797 psi | 89% | 3150 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,565 psi | 89% | 3182 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N560 | <<locked>> | 90% | 56,275 psi | 88% | 3258 fps | 98.8% |
| Vihtavuori N565 | <<locked>> | 96% | 56,855 psi | 89% | 3245 fps | 99.1% |
| Vihtavuori N568 | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,838 psi | 84% | 3238 fps | 97.7% |
| Vihtavuori N570ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,636 psi | 86% | 3294 fps | 96% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 84% | 57,101 psi | 89% | 3091 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 82% | 55,492 psi | 87% | 3173 fps | 100% |
| Winchester StaBALL HD | <<locked>> | 94% | 57,130 psi | 90% | 3297 fps | 100% |
| Winchester Supreme 780 | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,244 psi | 85% | 3120 fps | 99.5% |
Recommended = one of the top powders for this cartridge and bullet combination.
Start Load - Barrel Length: 25.6"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate 3100 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,768 psi | 59% | 2782 fps | 98.4% |
| Accurate 4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,227 psi | 79% | 3054 fps | 100% |
| Accurate High Country | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,249 psi | 65% | 2966 fps | 96% |
| Accurate MAGPRO | 65 gr | 84% | 44,889 psi | 70% | 3035 fps | 95.7% |
| ADI AR 2209 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,756 psi | 65% | 2923 fps | 97.2% |
| ADI AR 2213 | <<locked>> | 82% | 39,958 psi | 63% | 2910 fps | 95.3% |
| ADI AR 2217 | <<locked>> | 90% | 38,885 psi | 61% | 2874 fps | 95.3% |
| ADI AR 2225 | <<locked>> | 88% | 32,909 psi | 52% | 2766 fps | 96.1% |
| Alliant Reloder-16 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,008 psi | 75% | 3058 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-19 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,771 psi | 65% | 2913 fps | 97.2% |
| Alliant Reloder-22 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,797 psi | 59% | 2854 fps | 96.1% |
| Alliant Reloder-23 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,506 psi | 57% | 2812 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-25 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,502 psi | 49% | 2713 fps | 97.2% |
| Alliant Reloder-26 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,582 psi | 64% | 2972 fps | 99.8% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 109 | <<locked>> | 90% | 50,966 psi | 80% | 3077 fps | 95.6% |
| Bofors RP15 | <<locked>> | 82% | 37,521 psi | 59% | 2844 fps | 95.8% |
| Bofors RP30 | <<locked>> | 88% | 38,174 psi | 60% | 2890 fps | 95.4% |
| Bofors RP5 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,797 psi | 59% | 2854 fps | 96.1% |
| Bofors RP7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,054 psi | 82% | 3054 fps | 99.7% |
| Hodgdon H1000 | <<locked>> | 86% | 37,014 psi | 58% | 2831 fps | 95.2% |
| Hodgdon H414 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,634 psi | 81% | 3107 fps | 99.8% |
| Hodgdon H4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 54,128 psi | 85% | 3127 fps | 99.6% |
| Hodgdon H4831 | <<locked>> | 82% | 42,641 psi | 67% | 2917 fps | 95.6% |
| Hodgdon H4831 SC | <<locked>> | 82% | 41,858 psi | 66% | 2897 fps | 95.3% |
| Hodgdon Hybrid 100V | <<locked>> | 80% | 45,208 psi | 71% | 2927 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Retumbo | 61.5 gr | 84% | 35,273 psi | 55% | 2874 fps | 95.8% |
| Hodgdon Superformance | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,083 psi | 82% | 3143 fps | 99.8% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,934 psi | 44% | 1814 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,529 psi | 74% | 2982 fps | 99.2% |
| IMR 4451 Enduron | <<locked>> | 80% | 53,417 psi | 84% | 3081 fps | 99.9% |
| IMR 4831 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,514 psi | 74% | 2992 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4955 Enduron | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,336 psi | 65% | 2851 fps | 95.4% |
| IMR 7828 SSC | <<locked>> | 84% | 41,336 psi | 65% | 2953 fps | 95.9% |
| IMR 8133 Enduron | <<locked>> | 96% | 38,798 psi | 61% | 2923 fps | 95.5% |
| Lovex S065 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,169 psi | 80% | 3025 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S070 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,516 psi | 78% | 3018 fps | 99.7% |
| Lovex S071 | <<locked>> | 80% | 32,619 psi | 51% | 2651 fps | 96.9% |
| Norma 204 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,892 psi | 75% | 3025 fps | 98.5% |
| Norma 217 | <<locked>> | 92% | 34,055 psi | 53% | 2822 fps | 96% |
| Norma MRP | <<locked>> | 80% | 39,798 psi | 62% | 2930 fps | 98.1% |
| Norma URP | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,023 psi | 77% | 3038 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Grand | <<locked>> | 82% | 38,421 psi | 60% | 2894 fps | 95.3% |
| Ramshot Hunter | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,848 psi | 75% | 3035 fps | 99.8% |
| Ramshot Magnum | <<locked>> | 82% | 34,345 psi | 54% | 2759 fps | 95.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,631 psi | 45% | 1857 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 62 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,314 psi | 79% | 3074 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 70 | <<locked>> | 80% | 48,530 psi | 76% | 3097 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 76 | 64.2 gr | 82% | 32,068 psi | 50% | 2769 fps | 95.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 80 | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,974 psi | 66% | 3009 fps | 95.1% |
| Rottweil R 904 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,960 psi | 67% | 2897 fps | 96.5% |
| Rottweil R 905 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,263 psi | 65% | 2904 fps | 97.3% |
| Rottweil R 907 | <<locked>> | 80% | 52,054 psi | 82% | 3054 fps | 99.7% |
| Shooters World Long Rifle | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,169 psi | 80% | 3025 fps | 100% |
| Shooters World SW4350 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,516 psi | 78% | 3018 fps | 99.7% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 7000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,908 psi | 78% | 2969 fps | 99.7% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 8000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,944 psi | 64% | 2897 fps | 97.2% |
| Somchem S361 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,787 psi | 69% | 2884 fps | 95.9% |
| Somchem S365 | <<locked>> | 80% | 46,311 psi | 73% | 2989 fps | 100% |
| Somchem S385 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,843 psi | 66% | 2884 fps | 98.2% |
| Vihtavuori N160 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,372 psi | 79% | 3031 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N165 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,260 psi | 57% | 2743 fps | 96.2% |
| Vihtavuori N550 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,821 psi | 78% | 3031 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N555 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,785 psi | 64% | 2897 fps | 99.9% |
| Vihtavuori N560 | <<locked>> | 82% | 42,685 psi | 67% | 2986 fps | 95.8% |
| Vihtavuori N565 | <<locked>> | 86% | 40,306 psi | 63% | 2913 fps | 95.3% |
| Vihtavuori N568 | <<locked>> | 94% | 46,673 psi | 73% | 3097 fps | 95.9% |
| Vihtavuori N570 | <<locked>> | 98% | 50,836 psi | 80% | 3222 fps | 95% |
| Winchester 6.5 StaBALL | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,821 psi | 78% | 2982 fps | 100% |
| Winchester 760 | <<locked>> | 80% | 51,851 psi | 81% | 3110 fps | 99.8% |
| Winchester StaBALL HD | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,025 psi | 52% | 2841 fps | 100% |
| Winchester Supreme 780 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,363 psi | 60% | 2799 fps | 96.3% |
Recommended = one of the top powders for this cartridge and bullet combination.
ᴾ possible press load - work up slowly to this load while watching for signs of excessive pressure.
This overview compares 71 powders for 6.5 x 68 loaded with the .264 | 120gr | Nosler Ballistic Tip Hunting. Hodgdon Retumbo delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 3,363 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 2,024 fps to 3,363 fps. ADI AR 2217 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 71 of the 71 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (440 MPa), the top charges use 58–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 120.0 gr projectile in 0.264" calls for a 1:10.0 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. ADI AR 2217, ADI AR 2225, Hodgdon TrailBoss reach 100 % fill or more at maximum charge, so these are compressed loads: they need a long drop tube to seat cleanly and react sensitively to the case capacity of your own brass lot. Hodgdon Retumbo, ReloadSwiss RS 76, Accurate MAGPRO rank at the top here: for 6.5 x 68 with the .264 | 120gr | Nosler Ballistic Tip Hunting they combine a high case fill with complete burn and sit in the upper velocity band. Always begin at the start load and work up in small increments while checking case and primer for pressure signs.